COOPERSTOWN _ Innovation and dedication were recognized when the Otsego County Chamber and two sponsors presented small-business awards Thursday night.
The Chamber and The Daily Star honored Ioxus Inc. of Oneonta with the annual Breakthrough Award.
And the Chamber and KeyBank presented the annual Small Business Award to James Jordan Associates, Architects, of Richfield Springs.
About 150 guests gave recipients a standing ovation during the dinner event at the Otesaga Resort Hotel in Cooperstown.
``To receive this award is a great honor, especially in our own county,'' said James Jordan, architect and company owner.
He bought the business from his father, Myron, about 25 years ago. The firm has become known locally for work on school facilities.
On Thursday, Jordan said a factor that stood out for him was that all his employees grew up within 25 miles of Richfield Springs.
Ioxus, a subsidiary of Custom Electronics, produces ultracapacitor units and employs about 20 people at a plant on Winney Hill Road in the town of Oneonta.
The firm aims to grow to about 185 employees producing equipment for a global market.
State Sen. James Seward, R-Milford, presented resolutions to the award recipients.
``This has emerged into a wonderful tradition for small businesses,'' Seward said. He praised Ioxus for starting in a new technology and said the firm has the potential to be the next Microsoft.
Seward said efforts will continue to lure big employers to the area, but what is more important for the local economy is supporting entrepreneurs and existing small businesses. When two or three small businesses open in the area or existing ones hire two or three more employees, he said, the change makes a significant positive impact on the local economy.
``The backbone of our economy is small business,'' Seward said. ``And our future is small business.''
The awards event was important because it generated awareness of entrepreneurship and the results of hard work, Jim Empie, vice president and manager at Key Bank in Cooperstown, said.
Small businesses create most of the nation's new jobs, employ about half of the nation's private sector work force and provide half of the country's nonfarm, private gross domestic product and a significant share of innovations, according to the federal Small Business Administration.
Sharon Wilsey O'Donnell, owner of Best Wines and Spirits in Oneonta, said the awards banquet was an exciting moment to recognize local successes.
``We want to support all our local businesses, stand up for each other, reward each other,'' said Wilsey O'Donnell, who serves on two Chamber committees.
Rob Robinson, president and chief executive officer of the Otsego County Chamber, said the Breakthrough Award was started 10 years ago, creating ``one of our proudest moments.''
Tanya Shalor, publisher of The Daily Star, said the newspaper was pleased to be involved this year.
``We are for and about the community,'' she said. ``What better way than to sponsor the Breakthrough Award?"
